Background Research - VPHC63 Seminar in Early Modern Art - Queen Elizabeth I

Encyclopedia - FAQ

Why use encyclopedias?

To find:

Why avoid encyclopedias?

Encyclopedias are only meant to give you basic background information to help you understand your topic.

Why use GLAM websites?

To find:

How are library encyclopedias different from Wikipedia?

Online and print encyclopedias from the Library have been checked for accuracy and quality. Wikipedia hasn't.

Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists
Covering Western art from the ancient Greeks to the present day, this best-selling and authoritative dictionary is more wide-ranging than any comparable reference work. It contains over 2,500 clear and concise entries on styles and movements, materials and techniques, and museums and galleries. It also includes biographical entries for artists, critics, collectors, dealers, and patrons, with places and full dates of birth and death (in many instances correcting misinformation that has found its way into other sources).
Concise Dictionary of Art Terms
Over 1,900 entries
The Concise Dictionary of Art Terms is an accessible and useful A-Z, covering a wide range of terms from the visual art world, including materials, techniques, and important styles and periods.